Before Amosta entered Vitia's room, the atmosphere in the communal ward had been harmonious. Now, it had turned tense and hostile.
Everyone had gathered around, including Minerva and Madam Pomfrey, who had been preparing medicine in the small room.
But judging by their confused expressions, they did not know what had happened either.
Sirius suddenly rushed out of the room. His furious gaze swept across the ward before he stepped forward, seized Severus by the collar, and shouted in grief and rage, "It was all your fault!"
Harry had also come out of his room, still clutching the Prophecy Orb in his hand.
The blazing look in those emerald-green eyes suggested that, if Sirius and Severus had not been surrounded by people, he would probably have wanted to punch his Potions Class professor in the face as well.
And Severus.
He, who had never backed down in the face of Sirius's provocations, was pale now.
Severus's pale face was dazed, and his black eyes no longer seemed capable of swallowing every emotion as they usually did.
Helplessness and regret showed in his gaze. His head hung limply to one side as he stared blankly at the Prophecy Orb in Harry's hand.
It seemed that he knew why Sirius was furious—
The chaotic situation kept people from noticing Amosta coming out of the room. Instead, Dumbledore, whose pale face was etched with exhaustion, drew the attention of the bewildered crowd.
"Stop them, Albus!"
As Madam Pomfrey angrily shouted, "I've had enough of this!" Professor McGonagall looked at Dumbledore in alarm.
"Whatever the reason, you shouldn't be fighting in front of the children!"
Professor Flitwick also cried out in his shrill voice, but no one paid him any heed. Professor Slughorn's attempts to mediate were so quiet that only he himself could